I love those moments when you just KNOW you’ve had a divine encounter. You know, those moments where you stop what you’re doing and allow God to interrupt your regularly scheduled program.
This is exactly what happened while I was in Durban, South Africa a few weeks ago visiting my new World Race squad for their Month 1 debrief. God always seems to find a way to remind me that HE is in control! It is not about ME and my agenda. The question is, how willing am I to be interrupted?
It was a sunny and hot afternoon and we were getting ready to have some group discussion time at our table at a local coffee shop. I had an agenda to keep and I knew we were running out of time. I needed to start soon. Just as I was getting ready to get everyone’s attention, two ladies walked up and asked where we were from. They were intrigued and wanted to know what we were all doing here in South Africa. One of the girls at my table told her we were missionaries. She began to inquire more as she told of her past experiences with Christians in the area and spoke with quite a bit of disdain in her voice. At this point, I had set my stuff aside and offered her my full attention. This lady needed to talk. She shared some of her past and her family history and I encouraged her along the way with Truth from the Word about the love of the Father. I knew God was ministering to her heart right then and there. I grabbed her hand and asked if it would be okay if I prayed for her and her friend. She started to cry and said she would like that. I prayed over her and blessed her and spoke some words of encouragement that seemed to really hit home with what she is currently going through. She hugged me and thanked us for taking the time to listen to her. When she walked away I thought to myself, “look what I would have missed if I had been focused on my agenda.”
Two days later, at the same coffee shop, the waitress who had waited on us several times at this point was standing at the door as we were leaving. Again, we were on a time crunch and trying to make it back to our hostel on time to stay on schedule with our debrief. As I passed Veejay, I sensed the Lord saying, “stop”. I turned around and told her goodbye and we would miss her. She said we had been such a blessing to her with our smiles everyday. I asked her if there was anything specific we could pray for her. She shared with me that her husband and father had both died within the past year. She is trying to make it on her own and work to support her children. Her oldest son, she said, is addicted to drugs and it weighs heavy on her heart. She began to weep. We laid hands on her right there in the coffee shop and prayed over her. She was sobbing when we were done and said she was filled with joy and hope that she has not experienced in so long. She was so grateful that we took the time to stop and ask.
What an incredible statement. All it takes is stopping and asking. Take the time to be interrupted. Be willing to lay aside your agenda and listen to what God is saying. Look for divine appointments. Watch for where He is moving and working. I admit, I am not the best at throwing my agenda out the window, but it’s moments like these that remind me what I would miss out on if I didn’t stop, listen, and obey.
Maybe there is someone today that you can stop and listen to. Maybe it’s just a simple question, “how can I pray for you today?” Maybe someone needs your words, your encouragement, your smile, your blessing.
What will you give away?
Are you willing to be interrupted by God’s agenda?
(Please continue to pray for E-Squad as they just entered into Month 3 of their race in Madagascar!)
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